Is Glaucoma Hereditary? Here’s What You Need To Know
Glaucoma is a serious condition that can damage your optic nerve, leading to permanent blindness. If you are at risk for developing glaucoma, you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms. In this article, we will discuss the genetics of glaucoma and how it affects people. We will also discuss the treatments available for this condition and the risks involved with each one. So if you are worried about your risk is glaucoma hereditary, read on to learn everything you need to know.
What is Glaucoma hereditary?
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that can result in gradual loss of vision and blindness. It’s caused by an increase in pressure inside the eyes, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness. There is no known cure is glaucoma hereditary, but it can be treated with various treatments.
Primary glaucoma is the most common form and occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears. Secondary glaucoma results from other factors, like age or smoking, and occurs when damage to the optic nerve has already occurred.
If you have early signs of glaucoma, such as a high-pressure reading on an eye exam, you should see an eye doctor as soon as possible. untreated primary or secondary glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.
Types of Glaucoma
There are three types of glaucoma, which are open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and trabecular (barrel) glaucoma. All three can be hereditary, but only open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma can be passed down from parents to children.
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type and results when the drainage pathway inside the eye becomes obstructed by a build-up of fluid. This can happen gradually over time or as a result of an injury or infection. Angle-closure glaucoma is similar to open-angle glaucoma but occurs when there is too much pressure on the tubes that drain fluid from the eye. Trabecular (barrel) glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is affected, leading to damage to the cells in the back of the eye that produce tears.
Causes of Glaucoma
It’s caused by an increase in the pressure inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve over time. There are many factors that can cause glaucoma, including:
– Age
– Family history of glaucoma
– Eye color
– Race
– Environmental Factors (such as smoking, pollution, and lack of sunlight)
How to diagnose Glaucoma
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to diagnosing glaucoma, as the condition can be diagnosed based on specific symptoms. In general, however, a doctor will perform an eye exam and ask about your history of eye pain and vision changes. If you are experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms, it is important to schedule a consultation with a doctor: increased pressure in your eyes; redness or vision changes in your peripheral (side) vision; blurred or distorted vision; severe headaches or pressure in your temples.
If you suspect that you may have glaucoma, it is important to consult with a physician as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can usually prevent serious visual impairment.
How to treat Glaucoma
If you are concerned about your risk of developing glaucoma, there are a few things you can do to help lower your risk. Glaucoma is a type of eye disease that can damage the optic nerve, which transmits vision from the eyes to the brain. The most common cause of glaucoma is increased pressure in the eyeball caused by too much fluid or fluid retention. Other causes include age, race, and family history.
The best way to prevent glaucoma is to keep your pressure levels low and avoid high-risk factors such as smoking, being obese, and having high blood pressure. If you do develop glaucoma, various treatment options are available including surgery, medication, and laser therapy. Read more…
Conclusion
Glaucoma is a very serious eye condition that can significantly reduce the quality of life of those who suffer from it. If you are concerned that you may be at risk is glaucoma hereditary, it is important to get checked out as soon as possible. While there is no cure for glaucoma, early detection and treatment can help extend the life of those who suffer from it. In this article, we aim to provide you with the knowledge necessary to understand glaucoma and how it works. Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to get screened for the condition.